Why can't the unions do anything?

[monkeytennis97]

It feels like we have been left to it now schools have opened and now with the big uptick in cases today it's a worry. I fully support my union but wish they would ballot for something to help us out. I remember the last strike about 7 or 8 years ago but can't even remember what it was about, surely to goodness this situation is more pressing than whatever we went on strike for last time.

Think what a strike would do to public opinion of teachers (which is already woeful). I sympathise with those who are scared but I think it would fracture public opinion completely and pave the way for this Tory government to make huge, sweeping changes.

I agree. I feel like i'm paying them for fuck all. My academy trust doesn't even bother to pretend to care about them anyway!

Strikes work. In the late 80's my teacher all went on strike. They were amazing though - they all taught from earlier in the morning till lunch so we could still do our exams and then walked out in the afternoon. It was my "Ragged trousered" moment, and that, along with my dad being out as a print worker ( and sending parcels to miners) really alerted me to workers rights. What are we teaching the kids now? 0 hours contracts are ok?

I watched successive strikes they all fail.
No one makes back what they lose.

The first one I saw up close was the bread delivery strike 1960s in Scotland. People went back to local bakeries or making their own. The bread companies eventually closed down and the delivery drivers were made redundant.

The next one was the miner's strike - that was a well documented disaster brought on by insane leadership.

I'm not in the UK, but can't they only strike about pay and conditions of service?

So what's the alternative? We all just sit back and take it? Look how that's working.

@echt

I'm not in the UK, but can't they only strike about pay and conditions of service?

yup

So what's the alternative? We all just sit back and take it? Look how that's working

The unions can try to raise consciousness, but have to work against the power of the media and government to marginalise them. Also you only have to look at threads on MN to see how most parents don't get the big picture at all. Then they're all, like amazed that they didn't know about schools being underfunded/tiny unventilated classrooms.
It's invariably about their DC, which is understandable, but not in the end OK.

Do I sound annoyed? Yes I am, that so many parents on MN don't basically inform themselves about the state of education in the UK.

@cdtaylornats

I watched successive strikes they all fail. No one makes back what they lose.

The first one I saw up close was the bread delivery strike 1960s in Scotland. People went back to local bakeries or making their own. The bread companies eventually closed down and the delivery drivers were made redundant.

The next one was the miner's strike - that was a well documented disaster brought on by insane leadership.

I remember our local big national bakery closing down after the strikes was called Homepride I think. As you say people went back to local bakeries which are still going strong to this day.

I also remember the miners strikes we in Wales have still not recovered. The academies that are running now give me a bit of the heebie jeebies to be honest. They appear to run like a private school but without parents consent, the worst of both worlds.

What do you want to strike about? The main risk factor is being a room with someone else with the virus. Unless you want to go full hazmat suit every other precaution is pretty trivial once you’ve taken the step to have the kids back. What’s the alternative - not go back? Damage the kids’ mental health by enforcing loads of - -pointless- - rules? Teach in mask so that a sixth of the kids can’t hear you? It is a bit scary but I think it’s our duty as teachers to go back and teach in as normal a way as possible.

I’m just shocked at how little some teachers did during lockdown. And yes I am a teacher - delivered full live timetable, course fully covered. I was astounded that the schools my own dcs attend did so little. I think striking just be seen as taking the piss by many people.

@Sittin if you are a teacher don't you want the same protection as other workplaces?

The unions won't help us. We need to take individual action and exercise our statutory right to leave the workplace if it is not safe.

I am a teacher, but I don’t think schools are the same as other work places. What specifically is it that you want? I think lots of the things other work places are doing simply don’t work in schools.

The unions won't help us. We need to take individual action and exercise our statutory right to leave the workplace if it is not safe

Good luck with that.

@Sittin

I am a teacher, but I don’t think schools are the same as other work places. What specifically is it that you want? I think lots of the things other work places are doing simply don’t work in schools.

Masks for secondary pupils and teachers in classrooms. I have been wearing a mask for teaching and it's fine.

Windows that open (or open more than an inch) for ventilation.

Can't remember what I wrote as my third one on a different thread last night but there was a third one... been a long day!

It wouldn't be a strike, it would be a collective grievance

I’m really disappointed in the lack of union responses on vulnerable staff. What’s the point in paying our dues?

I’m really disappointed in the lack of union responses on vulnerable staff. What’s the point in paying our dues?

Have you asked them? I'm in Australia and it's the DET who lay down the rules about vulnerable staff and the union keep members up to date with their lobbying of them/negotiating. In the end it's all they can do. As a rep I get regular emails, as do all members now I think of it.

Any vulnerable member can ask for a risk assessment and he employer needs to work out ways to mitigate their risk (which could include working from home).
I don't put out stuff to all members about the vulnerable ones though, they are private!

I don't put out stuff to all members about the vulnerable ones though, they are private!

Of course not, and nor was I suggesting it.

What can be put out is the general advice to those who vulnerable under the government's definitions.

I understand where the OP is coming from, but also agree that our reputation is low at the moment.

I am really fed up that the water coolers are all covered and taped up. As well as my planner and laptop, I need to bring in a flask of hot drink and also my water bottle and lunch. I can't physically carry in a litre of water as well. Most of the taps onsite should not be used for drinking water. I raised the issue in a meeting yesterday and thankfully am not in again until Friday but would welcome ideas on how to sort this out.

This is an OHS issue. Not sure why any tap isn't potable.

If you have particular difficulties about carrying things, the need to have a hot drink, then you need to speak with SLT.

Sorry @echt I was referring to the previous poster's complaint and "why do we pay our dues" comment.

I dont think employees should put up with it. Are mps back? They are talking about daily tests for them. Tbh our gov disgust me.
Im telling my dc never to vote conservative. Plus they have managed to the economy anyway plus huge debt. Im giving them a F.
I think they will end up hugely sued. Because in a crisis it might be acceptable to make peiple risk their lives. But this shouldn't have still been that situation now.
If people went abroad or just came here it could have been 2w quarantine for all.
More mitigation could be done masks and smaller groups. Which reduces everyone risk.

if the taps are out of bounds how are staff and students washing their hands?